Wollemi pine Wollemia nobilis
Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Araucariaceae family, native to Wollemi National Park, New South Wales (one sandstone gorge; discovered 1994). It grows 10–30 m (33–98 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Wollemi pine in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wollemi pine at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araucariaceae |
| Mature height | 10–30 m (33–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wollemi National Park, New South Wales (one sandstone gorge; discovered 1994) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Wollemi pine toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity reported.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Wollemi pine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Wollemi pine in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Wollemi pine
- How far apart should I plant Wollemi pine?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Wollemi pine need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wollemi pine need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wollemi pine?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- Is Wollemi pine poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported.
- What grows well with Wollemi pine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wollemi pine. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Critically Endangered (IUCN): fewer than 100 adult trees in the wild; a "living fossil" known from fossils before its discovery.
- Hardy outdoors in much of the UK; Kew grows it outside and under glass.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Kauri Agathis australis
- Norfolk Island pine Araucaria heterophylla
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis